As UN General Assembly Approaches.. US Cancels Palestinian Officials' Visas.. Israel "Thanks"

[Financial News] On the 29th (local time), the US Donald Trump administration refused or canceled US entry visas for Palestinian Authority (PA) officials. This move comes ahead of the UN General Assembly to be held in New York next month.
The US State Department stated in a statement that "Secretary of State Marco Rubio is rejecting and canceling visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and PA under US law."
It further emphasized that "the Trump administration has made it clear that holding the PLO and PA accountable for failing to keep promises and undermining the possibility of peace is in the national security interest of the United States," and "to be considered partners for peace, the PLO and PA must consistently reject terrorism, including the massacre on October 7 (the 2023 Hamas surprise attack on Israel), and end terror incitement education as required by US law and promised by the PLO."
On July 31, the US State Department also announced that it would impose sanctions by refusing visa issuance to PA and PLO officials, citing actions to "internationalize disputes with Israel," such as filing with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and "supporting terrorism."
The State Department stated that the PA delegation to the UN headquarters is not subject to visa cancellation under the UN headquarters agreement. Foreign media reported that Secretary Rubio canceled visas for Abbas, the PA head, and 80 other officials.
The PA strongly opposed this move by the US government.
The PA criticized the visa cancellation as a violation of the existing commitments of the US government as the host country of the UN headquarters, expressing "deep regret and surprise."
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated that the UN would seek an explanation from the US State Department, saying, "We hope this issue will be resolved. It is important that all member states and observers are represented."
On the other hand, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the US State Department's decision.
Minister Saar expressed on X (formerly Twitter), "I thank Secretary Rubio for holding the PLO and PA accountable for inciting and promoting terrorism and using it as a means of war against Israel," and "I also thank President Trump and the administration for taking bold measures and once again supporting Israel."


ggg@fnnews.com Kang Gugi Reporter